Ammonium nitrate neutralizer

ABSTRACT

Highly dilute nitric acid is neutralized with ammonia by feeding the acid into an aqueous first reaction zone, feeding ammonia into proximity to an aqueous second reaction zone, which is contiguous with said first reaction zone, and in circulating communication therewith, circulating the nitric acid into the second reaction zone such that when the acid enters the second reaction zone its concentration is less than 15 percent and preferably less than 0.5 to 1 percent. A predominant proportion of the nitric acid is neutralized with the ammonia in the second reaction zone so as to form an ammonium nitrate containing solution. This solution is removed from the second reaction zone, recirculated to the first reaction zone, and is recovered as an ammonium nitrate product. Circulation for the process is facilitated by a thermal siphon and pressure effect caused by the exothermal heat of neutralization of the nitric acid with the ammonia and by the density differential between the product solution and the reacted solution. In one embodiment, means are provided within the second reaction zone and/or within the ammonia inlet means, to enable recovery of at least a major portion of any ammonia gas entrapped within the stream generated by the exothermal heat of neutralization.

United States Patent [191 Cook et a1.

[ Mar. 11, 1975 AMMONIUM NITRATE NEUTRALIZER [75] Inventors: Toby M. Cook; Gerald L. Tucker;

Marion L. Brown, Jr., all of Yazoo City, Miss.

[73] Assignee: Mississippi Chemical Corporation,

Yazoo City, Miss.

22 Filed: June7, 1972.

21 Appl.-No.: 260,392

Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 152,063, June 11, 1971, Pat. No.

[52] U.S. Cl 423/396, 23/2591, 23/285, 261/121 R [51] Int. Cl C0lb 21/48, C01c1/l8 [58] Field of Search 423/395, 396, 397, 351;

OTHER PUBLICATIONS Fauser, A.P.C. Application Serial No. 306,071, published Aug. 27, 1943.

Primary Examiner-Oscar R. Vertiz Assistant Examiner-Gary P. Straub Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Oblon, Fisher, Spivak, McClelland & Maier [57] ABSTRACT Highly dilute nitric acid is neutralized with ammonia by feeding the acid into an aqueous first reaction zone, feeding ammonia into proximity to an aqueous second reaction zone, which is contiguous with said first reaction zone, and in circulating communication therewith, circulating the nitric acid into the second reaction zone such that when the acid enters the second reaction zone its concentration is less than 15 percent and preferably less than 0.5 to 1 percent. A predominant proportion of the nitric acid is neutralized with the ammonia in the second reaction zone so as to form an ammonium nitrate containing solution. This solution is removed from the second reaction zone, recirculated to the first reaction zone, and is recovered as an ammonium nitrate product. Circulation for the process is facilitated by a thermal siphon and pressure effect caused by the exothermal heat of neutralization of the nitric acid with the ammonia and by the density differential between the product solution and the reacted solution. In one embodiment, means are provided within the second reaction zone and/or within the ammonia inlet means, to enable recovery of at least a major portion of any ammonia gas entrapped within the stream generated by the exothermal heat of neutralization.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures AMMONIUM NITRATE NEUTRALIZER CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application isa division of application Ser. No. 152,063, filed June 11, 1971 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,758,277, issued Sept. 11, 1973.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field Of The Invention This invention relates to a commercially feasible process and apparatus for neutralizing nitric acid with ammonia whereby the smog formation usually associated with such neutralization, is effectively avoided.

2. Description Of The Prior Art Ammonium nitrate is usually prepared by neutralizing nitric acid with ammonia. In the usual commercial process, this is accomplished by continuously feeding an aqueous solution of nitric acid and a stream of ammonia through opposing spargers intoa neutralization vessel containing a solution of the reactants and products. As the neutralization proceeds, product concentration is increased by boiling off the water by the exothermal heat of reaction, which is then vented into the atmosphere. One difficulty with that commercial technique, however, is not only does the exothermal heat boil off water, it also causes the formation of a quantity of an unrecoverable vapor-like microparticulate ammonium nitrate fume. The fume, with unreacted ammonia and nitric acid, is eventually vented into the atmosphere in the form of an objectionable smog. This smog can cause environmental damage by poisoning the surrounding air and possibly destroying nearby animal and plant life, and by creating an undesirable visual effect, making it objectionable to locate a neutralization plant near inhabited areas.

The reason for the smog formation seems to be that the exothermal heat generated from the nitric acid neutralization reaction, vaporizes a quantity of the acid,

which then combines with the ammonia vapor to form ammonium nitrate microparticles, which are generally unrecoverable. This theory seems to be supported by the observation that the extent of ammonium nitrate smog is approximately proportional to the quantity of nitric acid vaporized.

In view of this theory, it was first contemplated to eliminate the smog formation by cooling the neutralization reactor contents, so as to reduce the quantity of nitric acid vaporized. While that expedient was successful in reducing smog formation, it has not proven to be entirely satisfactory from an economic point of view, since it meant the loss of the exothermal heat needed to evaporate the water contained in the weak reactant and product solution.

The use of more dilute nitric acid, likewise reduced smog formation, but it meant that a substantially greater quantity of water had to be evaporated in order to effectively concentrate the product ammonium nitrate to a usable strength.

Unable to solve the problem economically by eliminating the source of that problem, the art then relied upon various scrubbers. filters and condensers, designed to reduce the quantity of ammonium nitrate and the quantity of unreacted ammonia and nitric acid cscaping into the atmosphere. Not only were the costs of such auxiliary equipment high and the costs of maintaining the equipment high, but those prior art techniques were unable to eliminate a sufficient amount of the ammonium nitrate microparticles to reduce the smog to acceptably low levels, unless total gas condensation was effected, which would result in undesirable quantities of waste material being discharged into the waste water stream.

Numerous attempts were made to redesign the basic nitric acid neutralizer equipment, so that volitalization of nitric acid could be reduced without deleteriously affecting the product concentration. None of these prior art techniques, however, were entirely successful in providing a commercially acceptable design which would sufficiently reduce the level of smog formation.

Attempts at such equipment redesign date as far back as 1939 with the Fauser neutralizer, U.S. Pat. Application Ser. No. 306,071, published under the Alien Property Control Act. In that design, the reactor comprised a central reaction zone located concentrically within a vessel and in fluid flow communication therewith. The nitric acid was introduced directly into the central zone through a sparger located approximately adjacent to the entrance of the central 'zone. Ammonia was introduced into the vessel at some distance from the inlet to the central zone, and neutralization was effected as the ammonia entered the central zone from the outer vessel. Although that design reduced the extent of acid volatilization, it was insufficient to provide an acceptable low smog level. Moreover, that system required a vertical shaft mixer to circulate the aqueous solution between the central zone and the outer vessel, which was inefficient and increased the product cost.

Later systems were developed, such as those disclosed in Japanese Pat. No. 15,292/68 and Norwegian Pat. No. 15,958, which also used a Fauser type central zone, but they, likewise, fed the nitric acid in high concentrations directly into the core where neutralization occurred. All of these prior art systems were inadequate, since a high concentration of nitric acid was reacted with ammonia and hence the heat of reaction was sufficiently high to cause high degrees of acid volatilization.

A need existed, therefore, for a means of neutralizing nitric acid with ammonia in an economically efficient manner, with a minimum formation of the deleterious ammonium nitrate smog.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is one object of this invention to pro vide an economically feasible nitric acid-ammonium neutralization method which minimizes the extent of smog formation to acceptably low levels.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for accomplishing said method, which is simple in design, and which does not require auxiliary scrubbing equipment to reduce the smog formation to acceptably low levels.

These and other objects have now herein been attained by providing an apparatus and a method whereby nitric acid is diluted in a first reaction zone, which is contiguous with, and in fluid communication with, a second reaction zone; feeding ammonia into proximity to the inlet of the second reaction zone, and conducting the predominant portion of the neutralization within the second reaction zone. Circulation between the first and second zones is effected by the thermal siphon and pressure lift caused by the exothermal heat released during neutralization and by the density difference between the product solution as compared with the reactant solution. By proper alignment of the ammonia inlet with the inlet to the second reaction zone, a venturi-type constriction can be created to enhance mixing and to enhance the rate of recirculation. In one embodiment, means are provided within the second reaction zone and/or within the ammonia inlet means, to enable recovery of at least a major portion of any ammonia gas entrapped within the steam generated by the exothermal heat of neutralization.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the neutralizer of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the neutralizer of the present invention with its auxiliary inlet and outlet systems;

FIG. 3 is a bottom section ofthe neutralizer of the present invention showing the use ofa funnel insert emplaced within the second reaction zone to enable recovery of ammonia gas entrapped within the generated steam. This figure also shows the use of an optional propeller vane system emplaced within the second reaction zone to effect swirling of the rising liquid to enable increased gas-liquid contact; and,

FIG. 4 is a bottom section of the neutralizer of the present invention, showing a venturi constriction funnel emplaced within the ammonia inlet conduit to enhance gas-liquid contact prior to entrance into the second reaction zone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS According to the present invention, nitric acid in a sufficiently low concentration is reacted with ammonia such that vaporization of the nitric acid is inhibited. Since the nitric acid is maintained essentially in the liquid state, the ammonium nitrate being formed will likewise be in a liquid state, and not in the undesirable vaporous or microparticulate state.

The lower the acid concentration, the lower will be the quantity of acid vaporized. Some smog reduction occurs when the nitric acid concentration at the time of the reaction is as low as 15 percent, but really substantial smog reduction begins to occur when the nitric acid concentration is less than 2 percent. Exceptionally superior results occur at acid concentrations of between 0.5 to 1.0 percent, and most preferably, for best results, the acid concentration should be 0.5 percent or less.

Since the concentration of product ammonium nitrate in prior art systems was generally dependent upon acid concentration, it is quite surprising that the present system can achieve an acceptably high product concentration without sacrifice to plant economy. Moreover, the present system can reduce the formation of ammonium nitrate smog down to levels approximating only 0.1 percent by weight or less of the stack gas effluent, or as little as several parts per million of air.

Referring to FIG. 1, which is a schematic view of the reactor system 1 of the present invention, nitric acid enters inlet line 3 into a first reaction zone 5 of a reactor vessel 2 through sparger 7. A second reaction zone 11 is defined by an elongated fluid impervious cylindrical member and is provided with an inlet 9 and an outlet 12. The cylindrical member 10 is positioned within the reaction vessel 2 such that when the vessel 2 contains an aqueous medium, the inlet 9 of the member 10 will be beneath the level of the medium in the first reaction zone and the outlet 12 of said cylindrical member will be above the level of the medium.

The nitric acid sparger 7 shown in FIG. 1 consists of four perpendicularly crossing pipes, each containing a plurality of small diameter nitric acid ports. The precise configuration of the nitric acid inlet is not critical, however, and it may take a variety of forms suitable for feeding nitric acid at a controlled rate, such as a simple pipe inlet, or a ringed sparger.

The acid entering the first reaction zone 5 may be highly dilute or may be in highly concentrated form. For best efficiency, the acid should be approximately in commercial concentrations of between 55 to 60 percent, which permits the production of ammonium nitrate in concentrations of 77 to 84 percent, which is a commercially usable form. Lower or higher acid concentrations, however, may be used. The only limitation is that the nitric acid inlet must be situtated at a sufficient distance from the inlet 9 to the second reaction zone 11 such that when the nitric acid enters the second reaction zone 11, it will have the desired concentration as specified above.

The concentration of the nitric acid entering the second zone 11 is a function of the recirculation rate between the second zone ll and the first zone 5, the distance between the nitric acid inlet sparger 7 and the second reaction zone inlet 9, and the concentration of the inlet nitric acid entering the system through sparger 7. Some additional control of the second zone inlet concentration can be provided by incorporating baffles between the sparger 7 and the inlet 9, or by otherwise varying the degree of turbulence in the first reaction zone.

Ammonia is introduced into the system 1 through an ammonia inlet sparger l5. Either ammonia vapor or ammonium hydroxide liquid or vapor may be used as the ammonium source. The incoming gas or vapor may contain amounts of carbonate, carbon dioxide or inert gas, depending upon the source of supply or depending upon the degree of concentration desired. One good supply source for ammonia is urea plant off-gas.

The ammonia enters into proximity to the second reaction zone inlet 9. It is preferable to feed the ammonia into the first reaction zone just adjacent to the inlet 9 and in the direction of that inlet. By proper spacing between the ammonia inlet 15 and the second reaction zone inlet 9, a constriction X can be created which will provide a venturi-like effect for the solution entering the second reaction zone 11, which serves to increase the rate of circulation and the degree of turbulence, and hence enhances the mixing of the ammonia and nitric acid reactants. The actual spacing X will depend upon the size of the particular unit and the ratio between the diameter of the walls of the cylindrical member 10 to the diameter of the walls of the ammonia inlet 17. The greater the value X, the smaller will be the venturi effect and the smaller will be the pressure drop. Of course, if the diameter ratio approaches 1:1, and the distance X is quite small, the rate of recirculation can be made to approach zero.

The respective diameters of the inner diameter of the reaction vessel 2, defining the first reaction zone 5, and the outer diameter of the walls of the cylindrical member 10, will also have an effect on the degree of pressure drop in the system. The ratio of vessel 2 diameter to cylindrical member diameter should be small enough to create sufficient turbulence in the recirculating solution, but large enough that the system pressure drop is not excessive. Suitable ratios have been found between the ranges of 1.5:1 to 4:1.

Although the second reaction zone ll is shown in the Drawings as being defined by a single cylindrical member 10, a bundle consisting of a plurality of cylindrical members, i.e., three to four such members, may be used to get different pressure effects. The various members 10 may be separated by a finite distance within vessel 2 or may be attached in a circular arrangement. When more than one member 10 is used a single ammonia inlet 17 may be used, or multiple inlets may be used, one for each member, of one for several members.

The opening of the ammoniainlet may be simply an open pipe, but preferably constructed so that the ammonia is evenly dispersed into the media. Good results have been obtained with a No. 4 mesh screen 19 having a 16.6 per cent open area.

It is possible to introduce the ammonia directly into the second reaction zone 11, but this would decrease the extent of mixing and turbulence and would decrease the rate of recirculation and could result in increased stack losses. Accordingly, introduction of the ammonia directly into the second zone 11 is acceptable, but is somewhat less efficient.

Since the ammonia, in the preferred design, is introduced just outside of the second reaction zone 11, neutralization will actually begin in the first zone 5, in advance of inlet 9. The predominant amount of neutralization, however, will occur within the second reaction zone 11. I

The exothermal heat released by the neutralization reaction will cause the water to boil, but because of the low acid concentration, vaporization of the nitric acid will be restrained.

Recirculation between the first and second reaction zones 5 and 11, is effected by the turbulent rise of gases through the aqueous medium within the second reaction zone 11, which acts as an air-lift, or pressure pump. Recirculation is also effected by the reduced density of the solution in the second reaction zone 11 as compared with that in the first reaction zone 5, which imparts a driving pressure head which will cause the solution to surge upwardly through. outlet 12, so that it fountains above the level of the medium in the first and second reaction zones.

A curvilinear deflector 21 may be positioned above the outlet 12 so as to deflect the solution downwardly, back into the first reaction zone 5. Gases, possibly containing entrained liquid, will circumvent the deflector and will proceed out of the system through the vapor outlet 23. The deflector 21 should be so positioned that it does not adversely affect the circulation of the solution. If it is located too high above the second reaction zone outlet 12, it will lose its effectiveness of diverting the liquid back to the first reaction zone.

When properly positioned, liquid will run off the deflector in a continuous sheet or film, so that the gases circumventing the deflector will be forced to pass through the liquid curtain which will then serve to remove most of the entrained liquids.

The use of a deflector, however, is optional, and the same effect could be obtained by extending the column between the liquid medium and the vapor outlet high enough so that the entrained liquid will be permittedto agglomerate and fall back to the first reaction system.

The gases from the reaction may be vented directly into the atmosphere, since the quantity of ammonium nitrate. ammonia. and nitric acid entrained or vaporized. is quite low, and within ecologically acceptable limts.

If desired, however, the gases may be passed through a mesh mist remover so as to recover still further any entrained liquid particles. Any liquid entrapped in the mesh is permitted to drop back to the first reaction zone 5.

It may be desirable to increase the diameter of the reaction vessel above the deflector, as compared with the diameter of the vessel below the deflector, so as to reduce the space velocity of the vapors sufficiently that a large amount of the liquid entrained in the vapors will be able to. drop out of the vapor and back into the first reaction zone.

Any of a variety of conventional separators or scrubbers may be added to the system to further remove vapor phase or liquid phase nitric acid or ammonia. It is extremely uneconomical and difficult to remove any vapor state or microparticulate ammonium nitrate in the exhaust fume, and, accordingly, the neutralization technique itself must be capable of preventing the formation of such vapor state or micro-particulate mate rial within acceptable limits.

when the unit is operating with reasonable efficiency, the ammonium nitrate losses in the exhaust gas can be as low as 0.l percent or lower.

An overflow ammonium nitrate outlet 27 is provided at, or near, the surface level of the solution in the first reaction zone 5, for removing the product from the system. The particular location for the product outlet 27 is not critical, but it should be above the level of the nitric acid inlet 3.

The nitric acid entering the sparger 7 is diluted by being admixed with the ammonium nitrate solution recirculated from the second reaction zone 11. As the nitric acid enters the second reaction zone 11, it is neutralized and removed by the ammonia. The acid concentration in the aqueous media, therefore, isconsiderably reduced as it leaves the second zone, and is returned to the first zone. The greater the rate of recirculation, the lower will be the acid concentration of the acid entering the second zone. Of course, the rate of recirculation is dependent upon many variables, in-- cluding concentration of the inlet nitric acid, separation distance between the nitric acid and the ammonia spargers, size of equipment.

Good results have been obtained where the first reaction zone 5 contained pounds of recycle per pound of commercially produced nitric acid feed, which corresponded to 0.05 percent nitric acid in the second zone outlet.

Under automatic pH control, it is not feasible to operate the neutralizer under neutral conditions; there will always be some free acid or ammonia in the product. If the concentration of the ammonia or nitric acid in the product is allowed to deviate too far from neutral, however, stack losses can become severe and seem to increase exponentially in acid concentration. It has also been found that more ammonium nitrate stack losses occur when the reaction is run slightly acidic than when it is run slightly basic.

If the reaction is conducted on the acidic side, the vapor pressure of nitric acid over the boiling nitric acid-water ammonium nitrate solution will primarily be a function of the nitric acid-to-water ratio in the solution. As the ammonium nitrate concentration is increased, while maintaining a constant acid concentration and a constant rate of recirculation, nitric acid vaporization will be increased due to the increased nitric acid/water ratio. The practical result is that as the .concentration of the product is increased, the degree of nitric acid vaporized will be increased. To off-set this increased nitric acid loss, the rate of recirculation must be increased to reduce the nitric acid/water ratio and thereby to reduce the acid vapor pressure, but there is a practical limit as to the extent of recirculation possible.

Of course, whenthe system is run with excess ammonia, the neutralization reaction will begin as soon as the acid enters the first reaction zone, but the degree of neutralization usually is insignificant as compared with the degree of neutralization within the second reaction zone. This preneutralization, of course, is beneficial in that it further directly reduces the acid concentration and causes increased turbulence and recirculation,

which still further reduces acid concentration.

In designing the equipment, the second reaction zone should be properly sized such that the residence time in that zone will be sufficient to permit the reaction to go to substantial completion before the solution surges out toward the deflector.

The surrounding solution level should be adjusted to a proper height to provide an adequate rate of recirculation. In general, the lower the liquid level, the slower will be the recirculation rate, since the smaller will be the pressure head. The longer the cylindrical member 10, defined in the second reaction zone 11, the greater will be the friction losses within the zone, and the slower will be the rate of recirculation.

Although the neutralizer of this invention has been referred-to as a thermal siphon neutralizer, the pumping action which provides for the recirculation between the first and second reaction zones, is actually a combination of two mechanisms: (1) the thermal siphon and (2) the air-lift pump. As ammonia enters the neutralizef, liquid flow is induced in the manner of an air-lift pump. The reaction between ammonia and the acid generates steam in the second reaction zone which sustains the air-lift pump. The temperature and density differences of the material inside andoutside the second reaction zone induces flow in the manner ofa thermal siphon reboiler.

lt has been found that some of the inlet ammonia gas will be entrapped by the generated steam, and unless otherwise separated, will be carried into the exhaust gas stream. The quantity of ammonia entering the exhaust stream is usually small and not necessarily objectionable. However, it has been found that a major portion of the ammonia in the exhaust gas can be eliminated by fixedly emplacing a funnel 40 between the walls of the second reaction zone 11, as shown in FIG. 3. The funnel 40 is preferably of a generally frusto-conical configuration, having a cylindrical portion 44 at the apex of a conical portion 42. The degree of slope of the conical portion 42 is not particularly critical, although it has been found that some degree of slope is necessary to reduce pressure drops due to entrance losses. Moreover, the sloping section will enhance the rate of circulation within the second reaction zone 11, so that the circulation rate will be intermediate the larger rate which would occur without the presence of a funnel 40, and the somewhat reduced rate which would prevail if the insert were only cylindrical in configuration. It is theorized that the effect of the funnel is to enhance contact of the ammonia gas with the liquid medium so that more of the ammonia will be dissolved into the liquid and hence be made available for reaction with the nitric acid. According to this theory, the major portion of the ammonia will react with the nitric acid at the point of highest ammonia concentration, i.e., in proximity to the entrance of the second reaction zone 11. The exothermal heat will generate steam which will carry some of the ammonia up through the funnel 40. The sudden expansion of the gases at the exit end of the funnel will slow the rate of gas flow and/or will cause increased turbulence thereby increasing the distribution and dissolution of the ammonia gas into the liquid.

When a funnel type configuration is used, it is desirable that the sloped portions of the conical section 42 be extended beyond the walls 10 of the second reaction zone 11 in order to reduce bypassing of the gas around the reaction zone inlet 9. The angle of the slope of the extended section 43 may be the same or different than the angle of the slope of the conical walls.

In one embodiment of this invention, it has been found that good results are obtainable when the inside diameter of the second reaction zone 11 is 24 inches, the diameter of the conical portion 42 of the funnel 40 is 18 inches, the slope of the conical section is 30, and the walls of the conical section extend about 2 inches beyond the walls 10 of the second reaction zone 11. These particular sizes, however, are merely illustrative and are not intended to be construed as limiting of the invention. Another method of recovering entrapped ammonia from the generated steam, is to insert suitably spaced spiral type baffles (not shown) within the sec ond reaction zone 11, or within the cylindrical portion 42 of the funnel 40, which will cause the rising liquidgas mixture to swirl. The swirling motion imparted to the mixture by the baffles will increase turbulence and hence will enhance the gas-liquid contact. Instead of baffles, propeller type vanes mounted on supports 51 may be emplaced within the second reaction zone 11 as shown in FIG. 3, or within the cylindricalportion 42 of the funnel 40 (not shown) to accomplish the same type of swirling motion.

In another modification of this invention, means can be inserted into the vicinity of the ammonia inlet 17 which will reduce the extent of eddy current formation at walls 17, thereby smoothing the flow of circulating liquid into the second reaction zone 11. As shown in FIG. 4, this means may take the form of a conically shaped skirt 53 surrounding the inlet pipe 17.

Having now generally described the invention, a further understanding can be obtained by reference to certain specific Examples which are provided herein for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to be limiting in any manner.

The following Examples will be discussed with respect to the schematic of FIG. 2. Nitric acid of about 55 percent concentration enters the system 1 through line 31. Gaseous ammonia enters through line 32. A secondary feedstream 37 feeds material recovered from the separator scrubber (not shown). This feedstream is, of course, optional to the process.

Product ammonium nitrate is recovered through line 35 and steam and gaseous byproducts are exhausted through line 36. A water stream 34 may be fed into the exhaust stream to desuperheat that stream when using the optional scrubber. Stream 33 is exhausted into the atmosphere.

The results of several runs under acidic and basic The quantity of ammonium nitrate, ammonia and ni tric acid emitted into the atmosphere by the apparatus and process of the present invention was compared with that emitted from the atmosphere by conventional neutralization equipment under similar reaction conditions, and the following data compiled.

Having now fully described the invention, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications can be made thereto withconditions are shown i the f ll i T bl 10 out departlng from the spirit or scope of the invention.

TABLE I PROCESS FLOWS WITH PRODUCT SLIGHTLY AClDlC (0.1% BY WEIGHT) STREAM 31 32 33 34 35 37 COMPONENTS NH lb/hr. 4,852 10 10 HNO lb/hr. 17,678 34 8 H O lb/hr. 13,537 2,546 9,598 8,734 9,598 2,249 CO lb/hr. 783 783 783 NH,,NO lb/hr. 10 25,518 10 3,117 AIR lh/hr. TOTAL (NORM 31,215 8,181 10,401 34,286 10,401 5,374 TOTAL (MAX.) 49,706 23,750 18,700 401 51,000 18,700 6,600 TEMP. (F.) 105 140 258 258 258 200 PRESSURE PSlG 0.2 0.2 CONC. 71 56.63 75 58 SP.GR. 1.32s 1.0 1.295 1.23 MP. F. 32 B.P. F. 212 258 237 FLOW G.P.M. 47 53 7.3 FLOW A.C.F.M 3,345 4,750 4,750

TABLE I1 PROCESS FLOWS WITH PRODUCT SLIGHTLY AMMONIACAL STREAM 31 32 33 34 35 I 36 37 COMPONENTS NH lb/hr. 4,852 0.3 100 HNO lb/hr. 17,678 86 H O lb/hr. 13,537 2,546 9,598 8.656 9,598 2,171 CO lb/hr. 783 783 783 NH.,NO lb/hr. 3 25,656 3 3,1 17 AIR lh/hr. TOTAL (NORM.) 31,215 8,181 10,484 34,312 10,484 5,374 TOTAL (MAX.) 49,706 23,750 18,700 401 51,000 18,700 6,600 TEMP. F. 258 80 258 258 200 PRESSURE PSlG 0.2 0.2 CONC. "/1 56.63 75 58 SP.GR. 1.326 1.0 1.295 1 23 MP. 1". 32 B.P. 1". 212 25s 237 FLOW (1PM. 47 53.4 7.3 FLOW A.C.F.M. 3,345 4,800 4.800

TABLE IV P1LOT UNIT STACK LOSS DATA FOR VARIOUS NEUTRALIZATION SCHEMES Free HNO Free NH; HNO Conc. Entering Stack Gas Composition in Product in Product Reaction Zone Weight wt. wt. wt. HNO NH NH NO (use 1. Conventional neutralizer, product slightly acidic 0.1 0.0 not measured 0.0 0.26 0.31 Case 2. Conventional neutralizer, product slightly ammoniacal 0:0 0.037 not measured 0.0 0.50 0.20 Case 3. Thermal Syphon neutralizer, acid introduced inside central pipe, 0.08 0.0 not measured 0.0 0.80 022 product slightly acid Case 4. Thermal Syphon neutralizer, acid introduced near entrance to 0.08 0.0 not measured 0.0 0.21 0.24 central pi e, product slightly acidic Case 5. T ermal Syphon neutralizer, optimized design, product slightly 0.08 0.0 0.36 0.0 0.10 0.097 acidic Case 6. Thermal Syphon neutraliver, optimized design. product slightly 0.0 0.00.1 0.21 0.0 0.67 0.025

ammoniacal Accordingly,

What is claimed as new and intended to be covered by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A method for neutralizing nitric acid with ammonium which comprises:

feeding nitric acid into an aqueous reaction zone; feeding ammonia into an aqueous second reaction zone, which is contiguous with said first reaction zone and is in circulating communication therewith; circulating the nitric acid into said second reaction zone such that when the acid enters the second reaction zone its concentration has been diluted to less than 0.5 percent by weight; reacting a predominant proportion of the nitric acid with ammonia in said second reaction zone so as to form an ammonium nitrate containing solution; and removing said ammonium nitrate containing solution from said second reaction zone recirculating said solution to said first reaction zone and recovering an ammonium nitrate product from the recirculated solution before additional nitric acid diffuses into said recirculated solution.

2. The neutralization method of claim 1, whereby the circulation for said process if facilitated by a thermal pumping and pressure effect caused by the exothermal heat of neutralization of the nitric acid with the ammonia and by the density differential between the product solution and the reacted solution. I

3. The neutralization method of claim 1, wherein the concentration of the nitric acid entering the first reaction zone is between 55 and 60 percent.

4. The neutralization method of claim 1, wherein the rate of flow of solution is increased as it passes into the second reaction zone from said first reaction zone.

5. The neutralization method of claim 1, wherein said ammonium nitrate containing solution is fountained from the second reaction zone into the first reaction 

1. A method for neutralizing nitric acid with ammonium which comprises: feeding nitric acid into an aqueous reaction zone; feeding ammonia into an aqueous second reaction zone, which is contiguous with said first reaction zone and is in circulating communication therewith; circulating the nitric acid into said second reaction zone such that when the acid enters the second reaction zone its concentration has been diluted to less than 0.5 percent by weight; reacting a predominant proportion of the nitric acid with ammonia in said second reaction zone so as to form an ammonium nitrate containing solution; and removing said ammonium nitrate containing solution from said second reaction zone, recirculating said solution to said first reaction zone and recovering an ammonium nitrate product from the recirculated solution before additional nitric acid diffuses into said recirculated solution.
 1. A METHOD FOR NEUTRALIZING NITRIC ACID WITH AMMONIUM WHICH COMPRISES: FEEDING NITRIC ACID INTO AN AQUEOUS REACTION ZONE, FEEDING AMMONIA INTO AN AQUEOUS SECOND REACTION ZONE, WHICH IS CONTIGUOUS WITH SAID FIRST REACTION ZONE AND IS IN CIRCULATING COMMUNICATION WHEREWITH; CIRCULATING THE NITRIC ACID INTO SAID SECOND REACTION ZONE SUCH THAT WHEN THE ACID ENTERS THE SECOND REACTION ZONE ITS CONCENTRATION HAS BEEN DILUTED TO LESS THAN 0.5 PRECENT BY WEIGHT; REACTING A PREDOMINANT PROPORTION OF THE NITRIC ACID WITH AMMONIA IN SAID REACTION ZONE SO AS TO FORM AN AMMONIUM NITRATE CONTAINING SOLUTION; AND
 2. The neutralization method of claim 1, whereby the circulation for said process if facilitated by a thermal pumping and pressure effect caused by the exothermal heat of neutralization of the nitric acid with the ammonia and by the density differential between the product solution and the reacted solution.
 3. The neutralization method of claim 1, wherein the concentration of the nitric acid entering the first reaction zone is between 55 and 60 percent.
 4. The neutralization method of claim 1, wherein the rate of flow of solution is increased as it passes into the second reaction zone from said first reaction zone. 